Tag Archives: Troye Sivan

Weekly Gems 182

Khartoum – Some Days

KHARTOUM

KHARTOUM

London three piece KHARTOUM releases the fresh new banger, ‘Some Days’ ahead of their Glastonbury performance this weekend.

Self-produced by the band and mixed by multi-Grammy award winning mix engineer Eduardo De La Paz (Peace, The Horrors, Noel Gallagher), the adventurous anthem oozes indie-rock to get down and dirty to.

Sounds like: The Beatles, Beck, Harry Styles, OK Go, Sunflower Bean, Wolf Alice, Black Honey

common goldfish – Shout Louder

common goldfish - Shout Louder

common goldfish – Shout Louder

London-based common goldfish channels 90’s indie rock in his new track, ‘Shout Louder’.

Inspired by the Get Back documentary, the summery single uses a mix of 90’s break samples and psychedlic guitar riffs that are making a come back of late.

Sounds like: Happy Mondays, Liam Gallagher, Kasabian, Ian Brown, Primal Scream, Stone Roses

SoundCloud | Instagram | Twitter

Magsy – Midnight Blue

Magsy by Alek Blik

Magsy by Alek Blik

Bay city beaut, Magsy releases his new EP, ‘Brite Nite’ and you can listen to ‘Midnight Blue’ below.

Magsy has been writing since he was 14 years old and has used it to answer his questions of belonging, perfectly reflecting his personal experiences. As well as music, he also works in construction, which has helped him hone his creative side. 

Sounds like: Majid Jordan, Years & Years, Troye Sivan, No Rome, LANY, Justin Bieber

SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter
Celestial North – The Nature Of Light

Celestial North

Celestial North’s luminary new single ‘The Nature Of Light’ is inspired by her studies as a Herbalist and by the concept of The Light Of Nature.

Surging with a pulsing life force of wonderful cosmic pop: woven with bubbling beats, sci-fi keys, fragments of arpeggio and imbued with a euphoric rush of dreamy melodies that invoke the spirit of pagan folklore and our connections with nature and inner hope.

Sounds like: Niki & The Dove, Bat For Lashes, Kate Bush, Oh Land

SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Weekly Gems 179

girl in red – hornylovesickmess

girl in red by Jacqueline Landvik

girl in red by Jacqueline Landvik

Norwegian grammy-winning artist, Marie Ulven – aka girl in red – shares the video from her album favourite, ‘hornylovesickmess’.

A directorial debut from Euphoria star, Hunter Schafer, the video sees Ulven laying in a bus bed, savaged by self-reflective flashbacks depicted through tangles of red tape amongst a construction site.

Sounds like: Clairo, Mallrat, Wallows, Conan Gray, Frances Forever

SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Suave Punk – Petals

Suave Punk by Caitlyn Phu

Suave Punk by Caitlyn Phu

Los Angeles-based Korean artist Justin Kim – aka Suave Punk – releases the deliciously grungy ‘Petals’, out now on Pack Records.

He brings his full bodied shoegaze in the new single – thick, crunchy guitar layers and sultry effect-laden vocal lines. Addictive stuff.

Sounds like: My Bloody Valentine, Slowdive, Cocteau Twins

SoundCloud | Instagram | TikTok

Magsy – Truth Is

Magsy by Alek Blik

Magsy by Alek Blik

Rising pop artist Magsy releases ‘Truth Is’, out now.

Firmly routing himself nicely amongst the pop heartthrobs of 2022, it follows on from the phenomenal ‘Noisy Mind’ and once again showcases Magsy’s passionate vocals over a plush instrumental of relaxing synths and groovy beats. A recipe for pop perfection.

Sounds like: Majid Jordan, Years & Years, Troye Sivan, No Rome, LANY

SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Meagan De Lima – Queen

Meagan De Lima

Introducing Meagan De Lima, a Toronto-based singer-songwriter who crafts heart-centred R&B that spans from her family’s rich cultural and musical heritage.

Forming a natural affinity for music at a young age, her new single ‘Queen’ is dedicated to her mother.

Sounds like: Ariana Grande, Jojo

SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Celestial North – When The God’s Dance

Celestial North

Delve into the cosmic world of Celestial North.

Lake District-based, Scottish-born, her musical world is an ethereal-pop landscape bathed in folklore and soaring cinematic melodies. You can listen to her spell binding new single ‘When The Gods Dance’ below.

Sounds like: Niki & The Dove, Bat For Lashes, Kate Bush, Oh Land

SoundCloud | Facebook | Instagram | Twitter

Weekly Gems 134

Caspian Pool – Insider

Caspian Pool

French synth-dance duo Caspian Pool likes to keep us on our toes with their wide-ranging selection of electronic music. Cue the colour-fuelled visuals for the foot-thumping ‘Insider’.

Sounds like: Nimmo, The Chemical Brothers, Hercules & Love Affair, Goldfrapp, Joe Goddard, Chvrches, Digitalism, Holy Ghost!, Boys Noize, Little Dragon, Cut Copy, Icona Pop

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Psyence – Retrospect

Psyence by Mark Vyse

Psyence by Mark Vyse

Anthemic alt-rock band Psyence returns with psychedelic sensibilities in rousing new single ‘Retrospect’, reminding us that every bitter end has a new beginning.

Sounds like: Queens of the Stone Age, Kasabian, Psychedelic Porn Crumpets, The Blinders, Wolfmother

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Beharie – Me & My Lonely

Beharie

Distinctive Norwegian voice, Beharie shares his soulful, folk and ambient blend in the form of ‘Me and My Lonely’. Pastoral and beautiful, the track orbits a peaceful finger-picked acoustic riff.

Sounds like: Bon Iver, Fleet Foxes, Bombay Bicycle Club

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Flechettes – Chasing Youth

Flechettes

Wigan-based four-piece Flechettes share the radio-ready and uplifting ‘Chasing Youth’, with blazing indie-pop guitar riffs and catchy vocals, making for a seriously dynamic record.

Sounds like: Sea Girls, Red Rum Club, The Blinders, Stanleys, Garden Party

Facebook | Twitter | Instagram

Chillhum – Dancing (Alone)

Chillhum

22-year-old producer, songwriter and musician Ethan Bedell – aka Chillhum – shares ‘Dancing Alone’, a stripped back and melodic blissed-out track that celebrates the joys of being alone.

Sounds like: Gaspar Narby, Couro, Flume, Ed Sheeran, Flume, Louis The Child, Petit Biscuit, Troye Sivan, Robotaki

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Bre Kennedy – Where Did Summer Go

Bre Kennedy by Lindsey Patkos

Bre Kennedy by Lindsey Patkos

Songwriting heavyweight Bre Kennedy winds down for the cooler months with her acoustic track ‘Where Did Summer Go’, a nostalgic ballad that symbolises the passing and loss of time and dreams that never got to see the heat of summer.

Sounds like: Charli Adams, Taylor Swift, HAIM, First Aid Kit

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Izza – Lows

IZZA by Sam Rockman

IZZA by Sam Rockman

Dark-pop artist Izza chronicles the ups and downs of dealing with anxiety and depression in a world where people are obsessed with the perceived perfection of their online selves, in new single ‘Lows’.

Sounds like: Dua Lipa, Gracey, Call Me Loop, Mabel

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Weekly Gems 130

Griff x Honne – 1,000,000 X Better

Griff x Honne - 1,000,000 X Better

British teen and born creative, Griff teams up with Honne on the sincere ‘1,000,000 X Better’. Once again tackling an array of important issues for generations, we say make some room Dua Lipa.

Sounds like: Owl City, GRACEY, Emily Burns, Sody

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

Ed Prosek – Now and Then

Ed Prosek

Ed Prosek‘s new single ‘Now and Then’ marks the first chapter in a compelling new story for the talented solo artist. Picking up the folks riffs from his roots, he looks ahead with a fondness towards growing old.

Sounds like: Mumford & Sons, Jack Garratt, Frightened Rabbit, Bruce Springsteen, Ten Fé, Chet Faker, Talos, Solomon Grey, Aquilo

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Jimmy Smash – Under

Jimmy Smash

Rising Norwegian alt-pop production duo Jimmy Smash let us loose on their tranquil and groove-rich piece of electronic pop, ‘Under’. For fans anywhere between Jungle and Roosevelt.

Sounds like: Jungle, Tame Impala, Roosevelt, Maribou State

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

Wolf & Moon – Eyes Closed

Wolf & Moon by Jordann Wood

Wolf & Moon by Jordann Wood

Berlin-based Wolf & Moon shares ‘Eyes Closed’. In doing this invigorates some sort of superpower, according to the duo, an ability to awaken the senses that were once sleeping. Try it for yourself.

Sounds Like: James Vincent McMorrow, Lea Porcelain, Xul Zolar, The xx, Bryde

Facebook | Website | Soundcloud | Instagram

Beau Turrentine – Take Your Time

Beau Turrentine

‘Take Your Time’ and smell the flowers. That’s the message in Beau Turrentine‘s latest song, with its woozy and enticing demeanour that channels sweet and blissful dream-pop tones. It’s out now via Terrible Records.

Sounds like: Tame Impala

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

Chillum – Waste My Time Feat. Devyn Sawyer

Chillhum

Chillhum shares ‘Waste My Time’ featuring a vocal duet with Devyn Sawyer. It’s another slice of intricate and experimental bedroom pop with acoustic-electric R&B from the budding singer-songwriter/guitarist/producer.

Sounds like: Gaspar Narby, Ed Sheeran, Flume, Louis The Child, Petit Biscuit, Troye Sivan, Robotaki

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Briskey – I Will Be Here

Briskey - Nothing To Lose

Australian pop artist Briskey releases his astoundingly catchy debut EP, ‘Nothing To Lose’.

A first attempt of producing, Briskey eventually teamed up with renowned Australian engineer JP Fung, resulting in an EP full of bedroom dance-pop feelings of loneliness, emotions & ambitions that push the limits of Briskey’s songwriting ability.

You can listen to the EP and synth-pop single ‘I Will Be Here’ below, which is about the butterfly state you feel at the start of a relationship.

Sounds Like: Bazzi, Charlie Puth, The Weeknd, Troye Sivan, Calvin Harris

Facebook | Twitter | Soundcloud | Instagram

Weekly Gems 129

jens – Tough Love

jens

Rising Norwegian pop songwriter jens shares ‘Tough Love’, taken from his new EP, ‘Call Me Back When You Get A Moment’. It’s another feel-good pop anthem, firmly rooted with a potent chorus hook and instant danceability.

Sounds like: Troye Sivan, Myylo, Charlie Puth, Dagny

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Lazy Queen – Gutted

Lazy Queen by Fabian Framdal Fjeldvik

Lazy Queen by Fabian Framdal Fjeldvik

From one Norweigan act to another. At completely different ends of the spectrum, alt-rock outfit Lazy Queen shares brazen new single, ‘Gutted’. Discussing the topic of self-destruction, addiction and recovery, it’s spirited punk rock with an upbeat pop hook throughout.

Sounds like: Nothing But Thieves, The Hunna, The Amazons

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

j. pastel – Senegal

j. pastel - Senegal

Chicago producers Chase Durrett and Casey Bruce – aka j. pastel – formed in the summer of 2019, and have been fusing 80’s synths and dreamy guitars with funk moves in their bedroom ever since. Listen to ‘Senegal’ below.

Sounds like: De Rien, gvn, Gaspar Narby, ford., Akurei

SoundCloud | Instagram

Phil Good – Falling

Phil Good

Los Angeles Phil Good is back with a new breakup-inspired track called ‘Falling’. Despite being laid-back, the music video manages to convey the emotion of the song.

Sounds like: Honne, Joseph Salvat, Miike Snow, Glass Animals, Joywave, Just Kiddin’, San Holo

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Gillian Heidi – Fray

Gillian Heidi - Fray

At just 16, it’s hard to believe that pop singer-songwriter Gillian Heidi is already creating such raw and emotive tracks that reflect about relationships in a poetic eloquence not often seen of this age group. Listen to ‘Fray’ below.

Sounds like: Kelly Clarkson, Vanessa Carlton

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud

GRACEY – Like That Feat. Alexander 23

GRACEY - Like That Feat. Alexander 23

Move over Charli XCX, rising UK popstar GRACEY teams up with US newcomer Alexander 23 on new single, ‘Like That’.

From our home town of Brighton, GRACEY started out as a songwriter for the likes of Jonas Blue, Sub Focus, and MJ Cole, but soon developed her own style of UK influenced pop with a mischievous and fun flair.

You can watch the lyric video below:

Sounds like: RAYE, Charli XCX, Troye Sivan, Griff, Emily Burns, Caro

GRACEY
Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Alexander 23
Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Continue reading

Weekly Gems 119

Gillian – Static

Gillian - Static

Boston-based pop singer/songwriter Gillian covers the highs and lows of life, with a guitar in hand or behind a piano.

Her new single ‘Static’ is a melancholic reflection about suffering FOMO.

Sounds like:

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Grant Knoche – AS IT SHOULD

Grant Knoche

17-year-old Grant Knoche shares another knockout pop single.

It’s everything we expect from a vexed teenager – controlled angst displayed in delicate melodies with beautiful keys and vocal harmonies – about a love that has got away.

Sounds Like: FINNEAS, Billie Eilish, Troye Sivan, Noll, Nikless, Kenzie, In Real Life, XXXTentacion

Instagram

Omar Addis – Easy

Omar Addis

Cardiff-based Omar Addis shares his breezy self-produced song, ‘Easy’.

Written from a reflective point of view, it looks back at the people who are no longer in your life, and how things could have gone differently.

Sounds like: Roosevelt, Washed Out

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Amelia Dare – Wrong About Me

Amelia Dare - Wrong About Me

On her sophomore single, South-East London based talent Amelia Dare channels themes of empowerment on the summery and addictive, ‘Wrong About Me’.

Maintaining the same organic sound established on her debut, ‘Teaser,’ Amelia is fast becoming a resounding new voice in the alternative R&B space.

Sounds like: ELIZA, Caswell, Cleo Sol, Snoh Alegra

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Tentendo – Thoughts Feat. Vetta Borne

Tentendo

Hotly tipped Melbourne-based bassist and producer, Tentendo returns with fellow Australian singer-songwriter Vetta Borne on brand new single, ‘Thoughts’.

Taking heavy inspiration from KAYTRANADA, he effortlessly fuses elements of hip-hop, disco and pop in an irresistible three-minute slice of down-tempo future funk.

Sounds like: Kaytranada, Pomo, AlunaGeorge

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

The Dryas – Make You Mine

The Dryas - Make You Mine

Brighton-based trio The Dryas share their ambitious debut release, ‘Make You Mine’.

Comprised of Hudd Hunter-Smith, Luke Cowie & Connor Tagg, the song conveys heartfelt and raw emotion, privy to fellow boybands, LANY and The 1975.

Sounds like: LANY, The 1975

Facebook | SoundCloud | Twitter | Instagram

Weekly Gems 116

XY&O – Left Alone

XY&O - Left Alone

What a way to kick off the gems this week! Welcome back XY&O.

Teasing a debut album (finally!) comes ‘Left Alone’ – another slice of hazy pop with simple and effective melodic structures, and of course, Skip Curtis’ luscious vocal mix.

Sounds like: Kid Astray, Sir Sly, Lost Boy Crow, Nonaphoenix

Facebook | Soundcloud | Twitter | Instagram

Limón Limón – Barcelona

Limón Limón

Future indie duo Limón Limón is taking us back to sweeter times in ‘Barcelona’.

Conjuring up dreams of warm summer nights sitting on the beach drinking wine, as the salt air drifts over our warm bodies. Perfect!

Sounds like: Midnight Pool Party, La Felix, All The Rest, argonaut & wasp, Goldroom, Pastel, 90’s Kids, Empire of the Sun

Facebook |Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Jamws – Toronto

Jamws - Toronto

When you are in flow, you are completely engrossed in the task in hand. Hours can pass without even noticing. This appears to have happened to South London multi-instrumentalist, performer and bedroom producer Jamws whilst working on his debut EP ‘Toronto’.

The five heartfelt tracks describe various stages of heartbreak, starting with a separation, following his partner of ten years moving to Toronto.

Sounds like: Summer Heart, The 1975

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Max Alexander – Stay Where You Are

Max Alexander - Stay Where You Are

Max Alexander is a new alt-pop singer/songwriter from London.

Originally an acoustic artist by heart, he’s decided to go straight in with the electric guitar, to create an all together fist-to-chest sound in ‘Stay Where You Are’.

Sounds like: WEIRDO

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

Victor Perry – What I Observe

Victor Perry

It’s always worthwhile to take a step back sometimes, and reflect.

NYC-based singer-songwriter/vocalist Victor Perry does exactly that in his lyrically mature new song ‘What I Observe’. As he croons in a poetic form of self-expression, we witness a subtle electro-pop space in which the track really starts to breathe.

Sounds like: Rhye, Rationale, Jacob Banks, James Blake, The Weeknd, Labrose

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

dekleyn – Who We Are

dekleyn - Who We Are

Australian duo dekleyn fuses electro-pop with pop-leaning dance in the catchy single, ‘Who We Are’.

It touches on the topical subject of mental health and the sense of vulnerability that comes with almost every relationship.

Sounds like: LANY, joan, LAUV

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

PELA – South Of

PELA

South London duo PELA share ‘South Of’, the first song they wrote together.

Amalgamating differing musical influences, it’s another stellar example of the duo’s sonic trajectory into a moody, melodic melodious song.

Sounds like: Kudu Blue, James Blake, KAYTRANADA

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud |Instagram

Amy Milner – Wildside

Amy Milner

Singer/songwriter Amy Milner shares her new single, ‘Wildside’.

Written about catching yourself before you lose control, facing those demons and welcoming the dark side of your mind, it’s energetic commercial alt-pop at its finest.

Sounds like: Birdy, Emma McGrath, Florence + The Machine

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram

Jens – Nocturnal

Jens by Sigurd Fandango

Jens by Sigurd Fandango

Bergen-born Jens could be the next big Scandi-pop superstar.

His off-kilter single ‘Nocturnal’ has all the makings of a pop banger – upbeat, catchy vocal hooks with a carefree bass line.

Sounds like: Troye Sivan, Myylo, Charlie Puth

Facebook | SoundCloud | Instagram

chillhum – I’m Slippin’

chillhum – I'm Slippin'

Los Angeles-based chillhum blends guitar-led pop sounds with future-beat/electronica.

A potentially unusual combination, his new single ‘I’m Slippin’ shows how it can be done successfully, immediately captivating us with lush and slightly erratic beats that are delicately weaved with his smooth vocals.

He explains,

“I felt as if the song was building towards an eerie and almost disorienting climax, and that’s what I tried to achieve with my sound design, all of which I did entirely from scratch. The way the almost acoustic verse and pre-chorus build and lead into the droning lead synth and distorted bass reminded me of the feeling of transitioning between two different states of mind. This idea is where the lyrical concept of “I’m Slippin” was really solidified, and I tried to draw on my own personal experiences to give the listener vivid descriptive phrases that made them feel almost as if they themselves are making such a transition just from listening to the song.”

Sounds like: Ed Sheeran, Flume, Louis The Child, Petit Biscuit, Troye Sivan, Robotaki

Facebook | Twitter | SoundCloud | Instagram